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Physical abuse is the most visible form of abuse and can be defined as any act which results in a non-accidental trauma or physical injury. This is usually defined as unreasonable, severe corporal punishment or unjustifiable punishment. Physical abuse injuries result from punching, kicking, hitting, beating, biting, burning, or harming in any physical way. Physical abuse should be suspected if the explanations of how an injury happened don't fit the injury or if a pattern of frequency is obvious. |
- The longer the abuse continues, the more serious the injuries become and the more difficult it is to eliminate the abusive behaviour.
Adults with a history of childhood abuse are more likely to have: - a partner with a substance abuse problem
- anxiety disorders
- chronic head, pelvic pain
- eating disorders
- depression
- obesity
- asthma
- gastrointestinal distress
- insomnia
- panic attacks
- sexual dysfunction
- substance abuse
- dizziness
- self-injury
- abuse their children
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bruises: on body posterior, on uncommon injured areas of the body,, in clusters, on infants, multiple and at various healing stages, blunt instrument marks, human hand marks or bite marks, discoloration of skin burns: immersion burns, doughnut shapes on buttocks, cigarette burns, rope burns from confinement, dry burns caused by iron lacerations and abrasions: on lips, eyes, baby's face, on gum tissue caused by forced eating, on external genitals, strangulation marks skeletal injuries: fractures from twisting and pulling, separation of bone and shaft, detachment of tissue of bone and shaft, spiral fractures, stiff, swollen joints head injuries: missing or loosened teeth, absence of hair, hemorrhaging beneath scalp from hair pulling, hemorrhages from shaking or hitting, nasal or jaw fracture internal injuries: intestinal injuries from hitting or kicking, rupture of heart-related blood vessels, inflammation of abdominal area high frequency of “accidents” or frequent injuries
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- avoids physical contact with others
- plays aggressively, often hurting peers
- complains of pain upon movement or contact
- has difficulty getting along with other children
- seems reluctant to go home from school
- refuses to undress for gym class
- gives inconsistent versions about injuries
- often late or absent from school
- seems frightened by parents
- wears clothing to purposely conceal injuries
- withdrawn, overly compliant
- has a history of running away from home
- eports abuse by parents
* The most important part is to observe patterns of events and the frequency of the occurrences. Some injuries alone could have a reasonable explanation but as a whole cause concern. |
- substance abuse
- suicide attempts
- abnormal eating behaviour
- high-risk behaviours (speeding, engaging in non-protected sex…)
- running away from home
- disrespectful towards others
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- academic difficulties
- aggressive behaviour
- substance abuse
- anxiety
- nightmares
- bedwetting
- chronic pain
- compulsive sexual behaviour
- concentration problems
- dehydration
- depression
- failure to thrive
- fear or shyness
- fear of certain adults
- insomnia
- lying
- malnutrition
- panic attacks
- headaches, stomach aches
- self-injury
- self-neglect
- separation anxiety
- social withdrawal
- stealing
- stuttering
- thumb-sucking
- age inappropriate behaviour
*Children will respond differently to similarly abusive situations—none of the symptoms above is diagnostic of child abuse. A child may also endure abuse without developing any of the symptoms above. |
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If you feel you are being abused: - say “no” loudly and get away
- tell someone you trust what happened
- remember that it is not your fault
- telling is the brave thing to do
- find help in your community, in your school, with your doctor, or call a helpline like the Kids Help Phone for anonymous help and advice
If you suspect someone is abused: - help the person find a trusted person to talk to
- listen with open ears
- support them through their ordeal
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